Conan Is Out Of NBC; Network Paying Up To $40 Million

Rachel Sklar at Mediaite: Numerous new outlets are reporting that Conan O’Brien and NBC are close to a deal confirming his exit from the network — that would leave the way clear for Jay Leno to retake the Tonight Show. It’s been a messy, angry, public late-night battle, and ending it won’t come cheap — reports are that it will cost NBC $30 – $40 million, at least.